YOUNG REDS IN SEMIS AFTER BLUNTING BLADES

Jimmy Rice 16 February 2007 Liverpool under-18s are in the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup after dispatching Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Thursday night.

The holders came from behind to win 3-1, with Ryan Flynn, Ray Putterill and Stephen Darby bagging goals to set up a two-leg encounter with Newcastle United. Steve Heighway will have been delighted with his side's response after a hesitant start, the young Reds producing some fine football to stand them in good stead as they continue their quest to repeat last year's triumph over Man City. It was the hosts who carved out the game's first opportunity on six minutes when Liban Abdi was gifted a free header 10 yards out. Thankfully, his tame effort dropped kindly into the arms of Danish stopper Martin Hansen. In truth, the Reds were slow out of the blocks, a 30-yard punt by Jimmy Ryan (who scored in the previous two rounds) their sole effort of the opening 10 minutes. Swedish starlet and Patrick Berger lookalike Astrit Ajdarevic, starting in the hole before dropping deeper into midfield, was lucky not to be booked for a rash challenge as Liverpool's normally watertight defence came to terms with a United side intent on playing with verve. The first goal when it came had 2,228 Blades fans in the Main Stand nodding their heads in appreciation. There seemed little danger as the ball landed at the feet of full-back Kyle Walker on 19 minutes. Then, out of nowhere, he pulled the trigger on a powerful 30-yard drive which gave Hansen no chance. From there Steve Heighway's side seemed to pep up, producing some neat passing moves as the half wore on. Left-winger Ray Putterill was at the centre of everything the Reds did going forward, while Ajdarevic suddenly remembered he'd brought his bag of tricks. Thirty-two minutes had passed when Putterill created the Reds' first clearcut chance, weaving his way down the left before cutting inside and taking aim. Sadly, it was the advertising hoarding rather than the net which was left shaking. Minutes later the holders were level. Ryan Flynn was first to react when a long-range shot hit the post, sliding in the guide the ball into an empty net. Suddenly, after such a bright start, it was the Blades who were praying for half-time. Again the hosts were quickest out of the blocks after the break, and again it was that man Abdi. His classy effort from 15 yards curled into an empty Kop. This time, though, the Red response was on the button. In fact, it was breathtaking. Ajdarevic fed Putterill on the edge of the box before the winger twisted his way into a shooting position and aimed a Michael Owen-esque bender into the top corner. United, who dispatched Middlesbrough in the fifth round but lost their last league game 6-0, looked lame to respond. Minutes later Ajdarevic hit a 20-yard shot inches wide, then a diving header from Putterill forced Stephen Hernandez into an awesome save. There was an air of inevitability about the third goal. Ajdarevic's in-swinging corner was met by the head of Stephen Darby, who made no mistake from point-blank range. It was nearly four when Putterill stung the hands of Hernandez with a drive from inside the D. Man of the match: Ray Putterill Liverpool: Hansen, Darby, Burns, Spearing, Threlfall, Barnett, Ryan, Flynn (Parsonage 87), Lindfield (Wignall 68), Ajdarevic, Putterill. United: Hernandez, Walker (Boden), Chapman, Mellis, Wedgbury, Lowton (Okoko 82), Askham, Quinn, Abdi (Eagers 68), Naughton, Tahar.